Radix Angelicae Sinensis is one of the genuine medicinal materials in Gansu province. The yield of Radix Angelicae Sinensis in Gansu province takes up 95% of the total yield of China. However, for years, the angelica sinensis ditylenchus has been a problem in the cultivation of Radix Angelicae Sinensis. It not only leads to decrease in the yield of Radix Angelicae Sinensis but influences the quality as well. Traditional methods to cure the disease use organic phosphorus pesticide, which can easily pollute the environment and result in pesticide residue.

Studies indicate that Stellera chamaejasme L. is rich in phenols, coumarin, terpenes, alkaloid and other active compounds and has the insecticidal effect.

Researchers at the CAS Key Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwestern Plant Resources,Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences,  have extracted substances with nematicidal effect to ditylenchus destructor which is the main pathogenic nematode of angelica sinensis ditylenchus. They have identified the chemical structure and physical properties of 8 biflavonoids showing nematicidal activity to ditylenchus destructor by taking the nematicidal activity to ditylenchus destructor as the index and bioassay-guided fractionation and wave spectrum analysis as the means.It is found that chamechromone exhibits the most powerful nematicidal toxicity.

Through 3 years of field trial, researchers find that active substances exhibiting nematicidal toxicity in Stellera chamaejasme L. show control effect to angelica sinensis ditylenchus and leaf spot disease. And there’s no residue on medicine and soil. By using the preparation made from the substances, the quantity and quality of Radix Angelicae Sinensis can both be raised.

Stellera chamaejasme L. is the typical plant when a steppe degenerates. It has well developed roots and can easily spread. Its strains are toxic and can lead to death if swallowed by mistake by human beings or animals.  

The work carried out by the researchers has opened up a new route for the control and cure of diseases and insect pests of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, control of poisonous plant in the steppe, ecological restoration of grassland.

With the above-mentioned findings, the project, “Nematicidal effective substances of stellera chamaejasme to ditylenchus destructors and studies on angelica sinensis ditylenchus”, undertaken by the CAS Kay Laboratory of Chemistry of Northwest Plant Resources, has passed the acceptance check organized by the Gansu Provincial Sci. & Tech. Department on December 29, 2011.